EAST LANSING, Mich. – The largest classical repertory theater in North America, the world-renowned Stratford Festival of Canada, will again visit Michigan State University and Wharton Center for Performing Arts from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 for the second of several annual teaching and performing residencies in East Lansing.

The visiting company will include many actors, including Tony Award-winning English actor Brian Bedford.

The residency provides MSU students and area high school students with the opportunity to meet professional theater artists, gain insight into the creative process, and explore the works of William Shakespeare and more.Different tracks geared to various fields of study will offer many participatory learning activities, including master classes and lecture-demonstrations on topics ranging from stage combat to design workshops.

While most classes are for registered students, there are opportunities for the general public to participate in this week’s residency.

From 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, a public workshop in stage combat and a Q&A with Stratford artists will be held at the Fairchild Theatre in the MSU Auditorium. The event is free and observers are welcome though seating is limited. Participants must register by calling (517) 353-1982, Ext. 141, or e-mail briseno@msu.edu.

Bedford will present the one-man show, “The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in the Pasant Theatre. Limited tickets are still available at the Wharton Center box office.

Bedford will also participate in an artist insight Q&A session from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 at the Fairchild Theatre. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

From 2:30 to 4 p.m.Nov. 2, Bedford will offer a classical acting master class at the Fairchild Theatre. Though the class is filled for participants, observers are welcome.

The Stratford Festival residency expands on Wharton Center’s tradition of offering master classes, workshops, lectures and other learning opportunities that enhance the understanding and appreciation of performing arts. MSU's artist-in-residency program with the Stratford Festival of Canada works in partnership with Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the College of Arts and Letters, the Department of English, the Department of Theatre, the English Language Center, the College of Education, the MSU Honors College, James Madison College, and the Residential College in Arts and Humanities.

Several faculty members in participating departments are incorporating the visit into their courses. Residential College in Arts and Humanities 201; Integrated Arts and Humanities; English 421 – Shakespeare; English Language Center Workshop; Honors College Seminar; James Madison College Seminar; and Teacher Education 407 classes will use the residency program in their teachings. In addition, Department of Theatre students will participate in stage combat classes; acting, monologue and design workshops; and an artist insight and master class session with Bedford.

Following its MSU residency, the Stratford Festival team will work with students at Lansing Everett, Haslett, Holt, Williamston and Mason high schools studying “Romeo and Juliet.”

The Stratford Festival residency program began at MSU in the fall of 2006.

For additional information about the Stratford Festival residency, visit the Wharton Center’s Web site at http://www.whartoncenter.com/education/stratfordresidency/

For tickets to Bedford’s performance, contact the Wharton Center box office at (517) 432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON.

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